1. What is Bulk Modulus?

The Bulk Modulus (k) is a measure of a substance's resistance to uniform compression. It's defined as the ratio of the infinitesimal pressure increase to the resulting relative decrease of the volume. Higher values indicate materials that are more resistant to compression.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Bulk Modulus formula:

Where:

• \( k \) — Bulk modulus (Pa)
• \( v \) — Original volume (m³)
• \( \Delta p \) — Pressure change (Pa)
• \( \Delta v \) — Volume change (m³)

Explanation: The negative sign indicates that an increase in pressure leads to a decrease in volume. The bulk modulus is always positive.

3. Importance of Bulk Modulus

Details: Bulk modulus is crucial in material science, engineering, and geophysics. It helps determine how materials will behave under pressure, which is essential for designing structures, understanding Earth's interior, and developing new materials.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the original volume in m³, pressure change in Pa, and volume change in m³. All values must be valid (volume > 0, volume change ≠ 0).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are typical bulk modulus values for common materials?
A: Water: ~2.2 GPa, Steel: ~160 GPa, Diamond: ~442 GPa. Gases have much lower bulk modulus values.

Q2: How does bulk modulus relate to compressibility?
A: Compressibility is the reciprocal of bulk modulus. A high bulk modulus means low compressibility.

Q3: Is bulk modulus constant for a given material?
A: No, it can vary with temperature, pressure, and other conditions. The calculator provides an approximate value.

Q4: What's the difference between bulk modulus and Young's modulus?
A: Bulk modulus measures resistance to uniform compression, while Young's modulus measures resistance to linear deformation.

Q5: Why is the negative sign in the formula?
A: It ensures the bulk modulus is positive since pressure increase (positive Δp) causes volume decrease (negative Δv).